What size slow cooker for a singleton?

Moneymash

Hi,

I have decided I want to try and save money rather than chase and make it. I have recently decided to cut down on the number of 'extra' night shifts I do, so I am trying to reduced my food budget. I definitely want to get a slow cooker but now sure about the size. Argos are doing a cookworks one at £12 this is 3.5ltr, it has 422 reviews most of them 5 star, people can't speak more highly of it.

However, I have just been on Amazon and they do 1.5 ltr ones and 2.4 ltr ones. I don't mind eating the same meal 3 days-in-a-row, or having dinner at home and then taking some in to work to eat a 1am on a night shift. I don't want to buy one so small that, there are no economy of savings in buying meat and veg (because I would have to buy them in such small amounts to fit in to a 1.5 ltr for example) A 3.5 ltr sounds large ( but I can see the economies) and it's the smallest size Argos do.

A few points to take in to consideration, I am in a bedsit so just have a fridge, very small freezer compartment (that's prone to over freezing) and a microwave. I did have a mini oven that lasted a couple of years if that, it's now broke and being mse I don't want to replace it (it's cheaper to get a slow cooker). I have debts to pay off and then want to save so I need a good reliable slow cooker and the right size, any suggestions.

Also, can anyone recommend any good slow cooker recipe books e.g. cheap recipe ones.

When I did have use of a full kitchen I used to make turkey curries I am guessing this is still the cheapest meat?

Thanks in advance.

Moneymash

Hi Board Guide,

I didn't realise there was a slow cook thread, just found it. Please would you move my post.

Thanks

MM

HappyMJ

1.5 litre for one person is still quite reasonable. You still need to eat the food within 3 days once cooked and refrigerated so I'd just go for the cheapest available. 3.5 litre is really the best size for a family and I doubt you (unless you eat a lot) could eat the contents within 3 days.

-taff

I would buy a bigger one because that way you can batch cook stews, curries,spaghetti sauces etc, and freeze. Then when you want them, throw them in the slow cooker and come home ro ready cooked food
I have a small one but I am going to get a bigger one.

mollymoggs

You can always make smaller quantities in a larger slow cooker. You can't make bigger quantities in a small one.

If you have a few more quid to spend, I'd recommend looking at a cheap multicooker with a slow cooker setting provided it comes with a good warranty. Unless you have a hob you didn't list, not having the option to brown things is going to be something you miss. It looks like Aldi has one for just under £40 with a 3 year warranty, and there are a few others around that price point. It will give you the option of browning, baking, steaming, as well as slow cooking.

But if you just go with the slow cooker, I'd get the big one.

Moneymash

HappyMJ wrote: »

1.5 litre for one person is still quite reasonable. You still need to eat the food within 3 days once cooked and refrigerated so I'd just go for the cheapest available. 3.5 litre is really the best size for a family and I doubt you (unless you eat a lot) could eat the contents within 3 days.

Thanks HappyMJ that's all I needed. I think I got sidetracked by the Argos one as that's the smallest size they do. I'll plump for the Amazon 1.5 ltr, which would suit my kitchenette better than the white Argos one. Just wish I'd thought about it a week or so ago to get free delivery.

Moneymash

Ok, now I'm confused I replied to HappyMJ before I read -taff and Mollymoggs reponses. I hear what you're saying I can always make small amounts in a larger pot and batch cook....hhhmmmm. *puts thinking cap on*

Maybe split the difference and go for the Amazon 2.4 ltr?

Mollymoggs I just had a look at the Aldi multicooker - it looks great and so functional. I should probably go and check it out today as it says on the website 'hurry whiles stocks last', my nearest store is 3.18 miles away, might walk there and get the bus back if I decide to get it.

mollymoggs

It depends on what you will cook in it really. I could easily eat a few litres of soup or stew in a few days if I ate it for dinner and some lunches. If you want to do meat and veg together, it will help to have a bigger one. You are talking about something that you would probably cook most of a meal/set of meals in.

TBH, I am not sure how big ours is. We bought it on sale a few years ago at Sainsbo's. It's probably around the 3.5 size, and we are a two person household. If it dies, I will get a bigger one because there are times when it just isn't big enough for what I want to cook. However, we do have a freezer, and I do batch cook.

Moneymash

So here are the options

Aldi Electric Multi cooker 6ltr 3 in 1 cooker £39.99 3 yr warranty- bus ticket £4.20, or walk 3.18 miles (and £2.70 in bus fare back, no guarantee it is still in stock.

Amazon cheapest equivalents of the above £80, so that's out, or just get a 2.4 ltr slow cooker (should have mentioned I have a health grill so I suppose I could use that for browning meat). cheapest option.

or

Argos have a Tefal Electric Multi Cooker 8 in 1, but it's £59.99, It would only take 40 minutes to walk there and the bus back would only be £1.60. Plus I have an Argos card so I go for the buy now pay in 3 months option (not that, that really helps), but it is £20 more than the Aldi one. It has a reveiw score of 4.7 out of 5 from 19 reviews, but most are talking about it's rice steaming functions?!

ditsykitchen

I can't give much advise on the sc but just as a quick thought, have you asked if anyone has a mini oven on freecycle? It'd be good to have the choice to use that too.

Moneymash

Thanks DitsyKitchen,

I have just sent a group email on Freecycle.